Nebraska producers: Trump backs away from TPP, is NAFTA next?

Beef and pork producers in Nebraska are concerned about what’s next after President Trump pulled the U.S. out of talks on the Trans Pacific Partnership.

John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council, says he’s “very disappointed” by the move, adding, the industry worked hard to make sure TPP would be good for producers. There are still options, according to Weber.

“We haven’t lost anything that we currently have. We lost opportunity,” Weber says. “We are optimistic that we can work with this new administration in developing perhaps bilateral agreements or some other combination of those Asia Pacific countries and regions. Believe me, we’re going to be involved in that and hopefully gain market access for pork.”

Nebraska is the nation’s #8 hog producer in an industry worth more than $1-billion to the state’s economy.

The TPP involved the U.S. and 11 other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan and Australia. The bigger concern right now, Weber says, is the renegotiation of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“That is going to have to be a smooth and gentle process, if they’re going to massage the trade with both Canada and Mexico, or agriculture could be in big trouble in a hurry,” Weber says.

While the trade issues are concerning, Weber says, NPPC is looking forward to the regulatory relief promised by the new administration.